The event was organized by APCR, which has been actively assisting in cases related to unlawful conversions, communal violence, and forced evictions across India
HYDERABAD: The worth of democracy lies in how it treats its minorities, was the majority opinion of legal experts and activists at a seminar on "Making sense of justice in changing democracy" at the Madina Education Centre in Nampally.
Advocate Raghunath, former president of the Telangana High Court Advocates Association, criticised the judiciary’s approach to cases affecting marginalised communities. He condemned draconian laws like the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), which he said criminalises dissent and suppresses human rights activists.
Prominent social and environmental activist Dr. Jasveen Jairath noted how democracy and justice had transformed over the years arguing that capitalism sustains inequality by controlling resources.
"Capitalism creates an illusion of democracy while sustaining deep-rooted inequalities," she said, adding that public movements have been diluted by external funding and state intervention.
Ravi Kanneganti, co-founder of Rythu Swarajya Vedika, called for more participation by the youth in debates regarding democracy and constitutional rights. He alleged that the state uses police forces to suppress dissent and avoid public accountability.
Prof. Gali Vinod Kumar, former dean (law) of Osmania University, addressed systemic oppression, "Marginalized communities are not real minorities but are branded as such to maintain social hierarchy," he said. He called for reclaiming democracy on the basis of constitutional values.
MLC Amir Ali Khan said "Without economic strength, their voices remain weak."
He called for initiatives like health and life insurance for Muslims.
Nadeem Khan, national secretary, APCR, called upon minorities to unite and support each other in fighting for their rights.
The event was organized by APCR, which has been actively assisting in cases related to unlawful conversions, communal violence, and forced evictions across India.
